Favorite Upscale Hotels Panel Says Staff Attention Crucial
USA TODAY Road Warriors named Ritz Carlton as top upscale brand with 11 votes among 102 panelists. Marriott brands led with 26 votes, Starwood 17, Hilton with Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands, and Four Seasons earned nine votes for consistent luxury across properties worldwide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
USA Today
Robert Getzenberg
Memphis
Getzenberg
Ritz-Carlton
Marriott International
Road Warriors
Ramesh Murthy
Hasbro, Inc
Greenville
Ritz
Barcelona
Marriott
J-W. Marriott
Starwood Ho
St. Regis
New York City
New York
Arthur Brandt
Chicago
Hilton Worldwide
Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts
Conrad Hotels and Resorts
Frederick Plummer II
DeBary
Fla
Conrad
Bali
Woite
David Stollman
Boca Raton, Fla
Campuspeak
Roosevelt Hotel
New Orleans
Hyatt Hotels
Park Hyatt
Grand Hyatt
Jenna Stopnik
Huntington Beach
Calif
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Stopnik
Tokyo
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Nicholas Logothetis
Libra Group
Baltimore
Boston
Beverly Hills
Reiz-Carlton
Why hurricane hunter planes stay twin turboprops
The column explains that turboprop aircraft like the P-3 and C-130 are chosen for storm penetration due to hail tolerance and ruggedness. It notes propeller engines offer forward thrust control, drag and reverse thrust advantages aiding landings, and discusses vibration and twin opposite-direction props improving safe flight and single-engine control.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edward Zell
Ohio
M. Pengilly
Josh
Peoria
Ill
James R. Gammage
Sharpsburg
Ridiculous airline fees head for the emergency exits
Airlines have quietly begun scrapping or cutting notorious charges such as United's $50 refund fee and Delta's $25 phone booking fee. Industry analysts call it a cautious shift driven by profit and consumer pressure, with lawmakers and advocacy groups pushing for broader reform. Southwest funds no change fees, and a new airline GLO touts no baggage or seat fees as a market alternative.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United Airlines
Delta Air Lines
George Hoffer
University of Richmond
British Airways
Samantha Sieverling
Seattle
Sofia
Bulgaria
Turkey
Delta
United
Sieverling
US Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Congress
National Consumers League
America
GLO
Trey Fayard
How to Avoid Fees on Airlines
A brief on dodging extra charges by choosing inclusive carriers. Alaska Airlines JetBlue Southwest are noted for fewer fees. Refuse to pay when possible, as John McDonald explains that fees disappear if customers reject them.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seth Kaplan
Airline Weekly
John Grant
OAG
North America
United States
Alaska Airlines
JetBlue
Southwest
John McDonald
Congress Pressure Prompts Airlines to Act on Duties
Lawmakers say airlines must follow safety and service standards, warning that Congress may compel compliance if voluntary steps fail. They note that the first moves have been taken and expect further actions to guarantee proper conduct.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Elliott Advocates for Consumers and Edits Nat Geo Traveler
Elliott serves as a consumer advocate and editor at large for National Geographic Traveler, shaping coverage on travel ethics, consumer rights, and destination guidance. He contributes widely across features, columns, and opinion pieces, emphasizing practical, principled travel reporting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elliott
National Geographic Traveler
Also Mentioned on This Page
Travel
Usatoday.com
Christopher Elliott
chris@elliott.org
Karen Blown
U.S